Patrick Mahomes not only reset the QB market but he shattered it. Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension that could end up being worth $503 million. Including the 2 years that were on his rookie deal, Mahomes could be the Kansas City Chiefs still 2032. While Mahomes has set the market for himself, does this trickle down to the other young quarterbacks? Dak Prescott, Deshaun Watson, and Lamar Jackson have or will be entering contract negotiations. Let’s break down how this impacts the next wave of contracts.
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott
The cowboys seemed to have him locked up last year at $35 million a year but Prescott’s new agent put that contract on hold. Prescott was allegedly offered a Russell Wilson type contract. Comparing his talent and accomplishments, the Prescott deal should be nowhere near Mahomes. Prescott signed a $31.4 million franchise tender and faces a July 15 NFL deadline to sign a long-term contract. With two division titles, one playoff win, and winning record Presctotts sitting at $35 million seems fair. The Cowboys should’ve gotten this deal done a long time ago because now Prescott is betting on himself to have a huge season and enhance his price. But if Prescott is still seeking $45 million per year, that will take up around 20 % of the cap. The Cowboys still have other players to play. Prescott wants a short deal to enter the market sooner.
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson’s career has been parallel to Mahomes. He sat behind an established veteran until the team felt comfortable enough for him to take over. Jackson is now the face of the Baltimore Ravens, and his second year he became the league’s MVP such as Mahomes. So if Jackson followed an MVP season with a SuperBowl run there would be no reason not to extend a monster contract in the mode of Mahomes. While Mahomes is a more traditional passer, Jackson style has been adopted more in today’s NFL than ever before. While the years might not be the same, rest assured that the money would be similar. Especially since Jackson is on a rookie deal that is team-friendly for his accomplishments thus far. In 2018, Jackson signed a four-year, $9.5 million rookie contract, including a $4.97 million signing bonus, $7.58 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $2.38 million. Mahomes possibly has changed the game with his arm while Jackson has changed the game with his legs. The Ravens could offer a blank check and tell Jackson to write his price.
Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson’s payday is coming. It’s just a matter of how much he gets for how long. Watson is already the best QB in franchise history. His talents and accomplishments are better than Prescotts and just behind Mahomes. With Mahomes getting $45 million a year, Watson should expect around $40 million to $42 million range annually. Mahomes years will not become the new-norm and Watson will have a preference to negotiate a shorter-term to get him back to the negotiating table in his late 20’s to early 30s. Every year a QB resets the market no matter his talents but Mahomes deal may be the one to put a ceiling on what a team is willing to offer. With the success of the Texans and Watson’s originally four-year, guaranteed $13.8 million contract, both sides are in a great space. That deal also included an $8.2 million signing bonus. He’s due a $1.1 million base salary this year and a $1.1 million roster bonus.
